Restart rule changes to be announced Sunday morning

As two Sprint Cup cars running at the speed limit of a two-lane highway approach a designated zone that varies in length from about 60 to 110 feet, a frenzied dance begins. The leader of a restart is in control, and he can stomp the accelerator at any point within two painted lines on the outside wall. The second-place car alongside must keep pace but also allow the leader to cross the finish line first. It sounds simple, but restarts have become among the most complex procedures to administer in NASCAR's premier series.

NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said Saturday that changes to restart procedures will be revealed during Sunday's drivers' meeting. While it's unlikely there would be an abolition of the action-inducing double-file restarts, which were added four years ago because of heavy support from a fan council, NASCAR could eliminate the zones and allow the flagman to determine the restart. Another choice might be putting the leader in a separate row and putting the field behind in side-by-side formation. USA Today